Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

THURSDAY JUNE 11


STRENGTH IN STILLNESS

READ:
Isaiah 30:15
________________________________________________________________________________
In quietness and
confidence shall
be your strength.
________________________________________________________________________________

Early in my Christian life the demands of commitment made me wonder if I could make it past a year without returning to my old sinful ways. But this scripture verse helped me: "The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still" (EXOD. 14:14NIV). These are the words Moses spoke to the Israelites when they had just escaped from slavery in Egypt and were being pursued by Pharaoh. They were discouraged and afraid.

As a young believer, with temptations engulfing my world, this call "to be still" encouraged me. Now, some 37 years later, remaining still and calm while trusting Him in the midst of stress-laden situations has been a constant desire for my Christian living.

"Be still, and know that I am God," the psalmist says (PS. 46:10). When we remains still, we get to know God, "our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (v.1). We see our weakness apart from God and recognize our need to surrender to Him. "When I am weak, then I am strong," says the apostle Paul (2 COR. 12:10).

Daily we grind through stress and other frustrating situations. But we can trust that He will be faithful to his promise to care for us. May we learn to be still. __Lawrence Darmani

** Dear Father, You are Lord of heaven and You have promised to be
with me. I don't have to fear, for you are my God. Please quiet me
with Your love.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
the Lord may calm your storm, but more often He'll calm you.

*******************************Today's Bible Reading __ Exodus 14:10-14*****************************
10 And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel
lifted their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched
after them. So they were very afraid, and the children of
Israel cried out to the LORD. 11 Then they said to Moses,
"Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us
away to die in the wilderness? Why have you so dealt with
us, to bring us up out of Egypt? 12 Is this not the word that we
told you in Egypt, saying, 'Let us alone that we may serve the
Egyptians'? For it would have been better for us to serve the
Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness."

13 And Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand
still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will
accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see
today, you shall see again no more forever. 14 The LORD will
fight for you, and you shall hold your peace."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
After Pharaoh set the Jews free from slavery
(EX. 12:28-33), he immediately had a change of heart and summoned
his elite army to recapture them (14:5-9). Although God had
overwhelmingly demonstrated His great power through the 10
plagues (EX. 7-11), the Jews chose not to trust in Him. Terrified,
they accused Moses of deceiving them and leading them into the
wilderness to die (14:11-12). But Moses encouraged them not to be
afraid and to be still and trust the Lord (vv. 13-14). God was faithful
and saved them from Pharaoh's army (vv. 21-23), and He continued to
provide for them during their 40 years in the wilderness.